Research Officer – Eel Monitoring Programme

Job title:

Research Officer – Eel Monitoring Programme

Company:

Inland Fisheries Ireland

Job description

Inland Fisheries Ireland (IFI) has a vacancy for a Research Officer to join our Research & Development division and take responsibility for the day to day delivery of the Eel Monitoring Programme. You will ensure that the monitoring objectives of Ireland National Eel Management Plan are fulfilled and the role will require coordination with other agencies through the Technical Expert Group on Eel.The successful candidate will have demonstrated an excellence in planning and execution of applied scientific studies in field situations. The work will involve both desk and field investigations. The appointee will produce detailed scientific reports and papers on the progress of the project. The successful candidate will also have project management experience including managing teams and will have demonstrated networking and communication skills.ABOUT USInland Fisheries Ireland are the environmental agency responsible for protecting, managing and conserving Ireland’s inland fisheries and sea angling resources.More information can be found by visiting our .VISION, MISSION & VALUESVisionTo place the inland fisheries resource in the best sustainable position possible for the benefit of future generations.MissionTo protect, manage and conserve Ireland’s inland fisheries and sea angling resources and to maximise their sustainability and natural biodiversity.Values

• We work collaboratively with professionalism
• We are open, transparent and accountable
• We act with respect and integrity
• We are committed to stewardship and sustainability

KEY RESPONSIBILITIESThis role will involve a significant element of field survey work all over Ireland. Field work will be influenced by weather; consequently the position will require flexibility regarding working hours. Transport will be provided for field duties.The position will be based in IFI’s Head Office in Citywest (Dublin) and travelling on a daily/weekly basis will be a requirement.The work will require frequent physical exertion while conducting field activities, including walking over rough, uneven terrain, lifting equipment, wading in streams/rivers and working in boats.Main duties will include:

• Day to day delivery of the project under the guidance of the senior research officer.
• Working with the Senior Research Officer to provide expert advice on eel to support IFI, DECC, partner agencies and stakeholders

Management

• Manage, mentor, train and motivate research staff, encouraging high performance and contributing to a culture of continual improvement.
• Account management and monitoring to ensure programme is completed within the allocated budget, including reporting on a monthly basis.
• Tendering and procurement of equipment.
• Provision of task schedules for all survey work.
• Compile, review or refinement of standard operating procedures (SOPs) for work activities.
• Liaise with the agencies involved in eel monitoring in Ireland and other groups as required.

Research

• Undertake innovative research to highlight the impacts management measures are having on the eel population in Ireland and documenting any changes to the population levels.

Data Collection Responsibilities

• Supervise and collect data on eel populations (distribution, biology and ecology) and relevant environmental and abiotic data from our index waterbodies as part of a long-term monitoring network.

• Undertake mark recapture studies using PIT, floy tags to estimate fishing efficiencies.

• Liaise with other projects within R&D and with IFI regional staff.

Data Processing

• Supervise the processing and collation of all data and samples to provide information on eel lifestage, parasite prevalence, swimbladder health, diet, age profile and growth rates of eel.

• Data mining, data processing, collation and aggregation of all datasets and all sample materials to parameterise and validate models and or analyses.

• Quality assure and review all datasets for entry to databases/GIS. Maintain raw data and all other records in a clear concise manner and in line with IFI’s database structure.

• Respond to the annual ICES data call for EIFAAC/ICES/GFCM Working Group on Eel (WGEEL).

Data Analysis

• Supervise and undertake data analysis and interpretation of all relevant datasets, including using relevant statistical/modelling techniques.

• Liaise with IFI’s ICT and Data (GIS) teams to continue to standardise data entry, data management and analysis to progress delivery of the fish monitoring programme.

Reporting and Communication

• Collate and write reports, management briefs and scientific publications where necessary to agreed deadlines.

• Provision of weekly and monthly updates to the Senior Research Officer.

• Attend TEGE meetings, Working Group on Eel (WGEEL) workshops and provide project updates when required.
• Communicate positively and effectively with internal and external stakeholders.

Other Responsibilities

• Carry out other responsibilities as may be assigned to the post from time to time by the Senior Research Officer.

• Ensure that all elements of the programme are achieved in a timely and efficient manner.

• Liaise with fishery owners and leaseholders, angling clubs and other industry sectors and attend / contribute to information meetings as required.
• Liaise with other IFI staff working on related projects as required.
• Demonstrable capacity to communicate positively and effectively with internal and external stakeholders.

Note: The above attempts to outline in a broad sense the range of duties associated with the Research Officer post. However other duties may arise as the requirements of the project and our stakeholders change over time.KEY EXPERIENCE & QUALIFICATIONSThe ideal candidate will have the following;Essential

• A relevant Diploma or Degree or equivalent.
• Full current driving license valid in the state.
• Excellent inter-personal and team working skills, with particular emphasis on motivation and leadership and a proven track record of achieving objectives.
• Self -directed and able to work independently.
• Demonstrable project management experience in a multi-disciplined team essential (including but not limited to: budgeting, scheduling, risk management, managing teams).
• Excellent attention to detail with the ability to spot errors and question information received.
• Project management experience in a multi-disciplined team (including budgeting, scheduling, risk management, etc.).
• Demonstrable experience in report and scientific writing.
• Knowledge of the Eel Regulation, eel biology and ecology.
• Demonstrable experience of field survey and data collection in aquatic habitats, working outdoors in all weather e.g. electrofishing and different types of netting.
• A strong expertise in IT skills is required (GIS Software, MS Office skills).
• Demonstrable experience in the use of relevant statistical software (e.g. R package).
• Experience in planning, executing and reporting on original research studies.

If numerous candidates have all the above essential requirements, then the selection panel will assess candidate experience in some, but not all of the areas below.Desirable

• Postgraduate qualification in relevant area.
• Demonstrable experience and good knowledge of spatial modelling, mixed effect models.
• Full BE driving licence.
• Published at least two scientific papers as first author in a relevant scientific field.
• Experience in telemetry techniques.
• Experience in using remote data collection technology.

REMUNERATIONThe salary scale for the position is at the level of Research Officer as applies in Inland Fisheries Ireland, it is a 14-point scale including 2 long service increments (LSI’s):Point 1 €43,937; Point 2 €46,020; Point 3 €49,013; Point 4 €51,509; Point 5 €53,581; Point 6 €55,606; Point 7 €60,221; Point 8 €62,408; Point 9 €64,712; Point 10 €67,012; Point 11 €69,300; Point 12 €71,618; Point 13 (LSI 1) €73,320; Point 14 (LSI 2) €75,727 (IFI Research Officer Salary Scale as of 01/10/2023).Candidates should note that salary will not be subject to negotiation and the rate of remuneration may be adjusted from time to time in line with Government pay policy. New entrants to the public sector will start on point 1 subject to Haddington Road Agreement and subsequent Government Agreements.TENUREThis post is offered on a specified purpose contract basis linked to funding, expected to last up until 2027.APPLICATIONSA cover letter and up to date Curriculum Vitae should be submitted by midnight on Thursday 09th May 2024.Late applications will not be processed.Short listing will be based on information provided in the Cover Letter and CV.Canvassing will disqualify.Inland Fisheries Ireland is an equal opportunities employer.

Expected salary

Location

Dublin

Job date

Tue, 23 Apr 2024 05:21:58 GMT

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